Helen Charlotte Sneddon

Helen was born in Calgary on April 10, 1925, to Alf and Anna Johansen. After the early loss of her father, she was welcomed into the farm home of her Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Pete Peterson. It was there that Helen developed a lifelong work ethic, independence, and resilience - by the age of 12, she was handling a hay wagon pulled by two draught horses and confidently taking on demanding farm work.

During the Second World War, Helen travelled west to Vancouver, where she contributed to the war effort by working at the Boeing Aircraft plant. Following the war, she returned to Calgary and, on July 16, 1945, married the love of her life - the “cute boy across the alley”- RCAF Corporal Robert (Bob) Sneddon, who had recently returned from service in England. Bob remained Helen’s great love and constant companion throughout their long life together.

Together, Helen and Bob raised their son Douglas Thomas and daughter Katharine Ann before later opening their home as a foster home - an experience that would ultimately bring the final piece of their family together through the adoption of their daughter, Theresa Janet. Their home was one filled with warmth, love, and care. The table was always full, the kitchen always busy, the living room full of family, and the garden overflowing with flowers.

Helen was a devoted mother to Tom (Maria), Kathy (Wayne) Eirich, and Theresa (Bruce) Schellenberg. She was a deeply loving and proud grandmother to eight grandchildren: Thomas (Jason), Astrid (John), Dagny (Thomas), Solveig, Andrew (Crystal), Christopher, Amy, and Emily (Micheal). She also took pride and joy in her six great-grandchildren - Haakon, Johannes, Torstein, and Reidun - as well as her step great-grandchildren, Andrew and Daniel.

Never much of a big traveler by nature, Helen nonetheless treasured the adventures she did take. She spoke fondly of the many camping and road trips she shared with her family. Later in life, she also enjoyed a couple of special trips to Hawaii with her brother and sister-in-law Almar and Doris, experiences she held close and spoke of with quiet joy.

Helen was predeceased by her loving husband Robert (2010); father Alf (1929); mother Anna (1990); auntie Charlotte (1979); sister Marie (2008); and brothers Almar (2009) and Douglas (1985).

Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt whose devotion to her family knew no bounds. She will be deeply and dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

A Funeral Service will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to Calgary Veteran’s Food Bank, Alzheimer Society of Canada, or Diabetes Canada.